The Foodstuffs grocery co-ops said that summer produce has delivered real value at the checkout, with strong seasonal availability and sharp prices across many fresh fruit and vegetables.
Stats NZ has reported an annual food price inflation (FPI) rate of 4.4 percent for November 2025, while Foodstuffs recorded an average year-on-year retail price increase of 3.8 percent across its comparable FPI basket.
Fruit and vegetables continued to deliver value in November, with several popular summer staples falling sharply.
Among the biggest year-on-year price drops were cucumbers (down 24.1 percent), lettuce (-20.5 percent), olive oil (-18.0 percent), capsicums (-17.1 percent), avocados (-15.4 percent), kumara (-13.8 percent), courgettes (-13.8 percent) and apples (-12.6 percent).
Foodstuffs NZ Managing Director Chris Quin said the co-op’s distribution centres and teams are ready for a busy summer season.
“We know lots of families are planning their holiday menus after a full-on year, so our teams are working closely with suppliers and growers to get the best seasonal value into stores,” said Quin.
Brigit Corson, Head of Produce and Butchery for Foodstuffs North Island, added that growing conditions have set up a strong season.
“With the warm spring, we’ve had an excellent supply of cucumbers, lettuce and broccoli, and more summer fruit is arriving every day. Cherries and berries are the taste of summer and are in great supply right now,” she said.
“Local watermelons are ready earlier than expected and, along with sweetcorn, volumes will build steadily as we head into the summer break.”
Justin Dykhoff, Merchandise Manager – Produce at Foodstuffs South Island, mentioned that the supply has also been steady in the south with strong early crops of stone fruit, including nectarines, plums, peaches, apricots and cherries, thanks to settled weather.
While customers are benefiting from good value in summer salads and fruit bowls, prices for meat and dairy remain elevated.
Quin mentioned that global demand has continued to outpace supply for key proteins, particularly beef.
“We’re expecting to see pork and chicken on more Christmas tables this year, but there’s still plenty of beef and lamb available for those looking to fire up the barbecue.”
He said that New Zealanders have embraced cuts such as brisket for a bit of ‘low and slow’, reflecting some savvy buying to combat the pricing of favourite steak cuts.
“It's a perfect cut to try with some extra time over the summer break.”
Top year-on-year price increases in November included cabbage (up 59.5 percent), kiwifruit (+42.2 percent), lamb leg roasts (+39.9 percent), beef steak (+29.5 percent), meat pies (+21.8 percent), beef mince (+20.8 percent), butter (+20.4 percent) and cheese (+20.1 percent).
Foodstuffs’ supplier costs for goods in its FPI basket rose 4.6 percent year-on-year, while the Infometrics Grocery Supplier Cost Index (GSCI), which tracks over 60,000 goods stocked in the co-ops’ 500+ stores, was up 2.4 percent.
Freight and logistics costs remain a contributing factor, particularly in the South Island. Cook Strait capacity issues, maintenance closures like those over the Brynderwyns in the north, and ongoing roadworks have all added time and cost to the supply chain.
“We’ve also seen port service charges increase, and some shipping lines apply surcharges due to handling and turnaround delays.”
Foodstuffs’ focus will remain on delivering value for customers.
“We know New Zealanders are watching every dollar and looking for ways to stretch the grocery budget, so we’re working hard to buy well, run efficiently, and pass on savings wherever we can.”
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